New Walk-in Centre staff begin 10 week training program

A major step towards Australia’s first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre has been taken this week with 12 staff beginning a training program in preparation of the centre’s opening.

“It is wonderful to see these plans coming to life with the Walk-in Centre on track to open in May,” ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, said today.

“The commencement of the training program is a significant step forward for the centre which will provide the ACT community with more choice for the treatment of minor illnesses and injuries.

‘’The training program is designed to enhance the skills of the team, focusing on theoretical, practical and competency based components, covering a range of topics and body systems directly connected to the scope of practice of the Walk-in Centre. The program also includes training in the clinical decision making software with the team working through a range of different clinical scenarios.”

If successful, ACT Health will consider rolling out a further two centres within the next three to four years.

“Walk-in Centres will provide patients with more choice through the provision of additional health services for our community, and hopefully take some of the pressure off our emergency department,” Ms Gallagher said.

“Walk-in Centres are not replacements for GPs or emergency department care, rather they will provide care for people with one-off, non-serious health concerns. People with more serious or chronic needs will still need to see their GP because walk-in centres will not provide the type of long-term and follow-up care that only experienced GPs can provide.

“This is an exciting step forward for the ACT and the provision of new and innovative models of health care,” she said.

4 March 2010